WO2001081151A1 - Modular electric steering gear assembly - Google Patents
Modular electric steering gear assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2001081151A1 WO2001081151A1 PCT/US2001/013129 US0113129W WO0181151A1 WO 2001081151 A1 WO2001081151 A1 WO 2001081151A1 US 0113129 W US0113129 W US 0113129W WO 0181151 A1 WO0181151 A1 WO 0181151A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- housing
- pinion
- coupling
- gear
- torque sensor
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D6/00—Arrangements for automatically controlling steering depending on driving conditions sensed and responded to, e.g. control circuits
- B62D6/08—Arrangements for automatically controlling steering depending on driving conditions sensed and responded to, e.g. control circuits responsive only to driver input torque
- B62D6/10—Arrangements for automatically controlling steering depending on driving conditions sensed and responded to, e.g. control circuits responsive only to driver input torque characterised by means for sensing or determining torque
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D5/00—Power-assisted or power-driven steering
- B62D5/04—Power-assisted or power-driven steering electrical, e.g. using an electric servo-motor connected to, or forming part of, the steering gear
- B62D5/0403—Power-assisted or power-driven steering electrical, e.g. using an electric servo-motor connected to, or forming part of, the steering gear characterised by constructional features, e.g. common housing for motor and gear box
Definitions
- the present invention relates to the power steering systems and more specifically to modular electric steering gear subassembly design. Background
- Power steering has become standard equipment on most vehicles.
- Most late model passenger cars with power steering use either a power rack and pinion system or an integral power steering gear assembly.
- Most front wheel drive cars use power rack and pinion systems, while most rear wheel drive systems use an integral power steering gear.
- Power steering systems are typically either hydraulic-based systems, where fluid pressure is used to aid the steering assembly in turning a vehicle, or electric-based systems, where an electric motor is coupled to the steering assembly to aid the steering assembly in turning the vehicle.
- Automobile power steering is actually power-assisted steering. All systems are constructed so that the car can be steered manually when the engine is not running or if the steering system is disconnected from the power source.
- the modular design concept can increase component/subassembly commonality across vehicle platforms, which can lead to tremendous cost savings.
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a electrically powered rack and pinion power steering assembly having a pinion gear housing subassembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
- Figure 3 is a perspective view of a pinion gear housing subassembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
- Figure 4 is a cross section view through line 4-4 of Figure 3;
- Figure 2 is a perspective view of a pinion gear housing subassembly and electric motor prior to assembly of the motor to the housing, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention
- Figure 5 is a perspective view of the pinion gear housing subassembly coupled to the electric motor
- Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing another preferred embodiment containing a plurality of optical torque sensors and the electric motor; and Figure 7 is a cross-sectional perspective view another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
- an electrically powered rack and pinion power steering assembly 10 of a vehicle 11 having a modular pinion gear housing subassembly 16 is shown.
- the assembly 10 also has as its major components a steering wheel 12 connected to a steering shaft 14 that cooperates with the modular pinion gear housing subassembly 16; a rack (not shown) cooperating with another portion of the modular pinion gear housing subassembly 16; a pair of tie rods 18 cooperating with a pair of tires 20.
- An electric motor 22 is coupled to the modular pinion gear housing subassembly 16 and is used to assist the assembly 10 in turning the vehicle 11.
- Figures 3 and 4 show a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the modular pinion gear housing subassembly 16 according to the present invention, wherein the modular pinion gear housing subassembly 16 has as its major components a torsion bar 24 contained within an input portion 26 of the pinion shaft 27, an optical torque sensor 28 having a lower sensor disk 30 and a higher sensor disk 32, and a pinion gear 34.
- the lower sensor disk 32 has a first outer diameter 48 having a first bar code sequence 51a thereon.
- the upper sensor disk 32 has a second outer diameter 50 having a second bar code sequence 51b thereon.
- a torsion bar o-ring 40 seals the torsion bar 24 within the input portion 26.
- a torque sensor support needle 42 is pressed on the input portion 26.
- a bevel gear 38 for coupling to the electric motor 22 is affixed to the output portion 44 of the pinion shaft 27.
- the bevel gear 38 has preferably hypoid shaped teeth.
- FIG. 5 and 6 a perspective and cross-sectional view of the present invention, wherein the electric motor 22, rack 36 and the modular pinion gear housing assembly 16 are shown assembled to pinion housing 54.
- Rotational torque produced by electric motor 22 is coupled to the subassembly 16 through a bevel gear pinion 23 fixed to a motor shaft 27.
- Pinion housing 54 contains a snap ring 52 for retaining subassembly 16 therein.
- the pinion housing 54 further contains an upper angular contact bearing 56, a sensor dust seal 58, and a lower angular contact bearing 60.
- the upper angular contact bearing 56 and the sensor dust seal 58 are pressed onto the pinion housing 54.
- the lower angular contact bearing 60 is pressed into a threaded housing 61.
- the angular contact bearings 56, 60 function to rotatably support the gear housing subassembly 16 within the pinion housing 54.
- the pinion housing 54 substantially contains most of the modular pinion gear housing subassembly 16, with a portion of input portion 26 and pinion gear 34 not contained within the pinion housing 54.
- each subassembly of the modular pinion gear housing subassembly 16 must first be completed.
- first gear 38 is pressed onto output portion 44.
- the torsion bar O-ring 40 is installed on torsion bar 24 and torsion bar 24 is pressed onto input portion 26, completing the pinion subassembly.
- the torque sensor subassembly is now then assembled by installing the torque sensor support needle bearing 42 onto the input portion 26.
- the lower sensor disk 30 of the optical torque sensor 28 is pressed onto the output portion 44 and the upper sensor disk 32 of the optical torque sensor 28 is pressed onto the shoulder 46 of the input portion 26.
- the output portion 44 is slid over the torsion bar 24 and into the input portion 26.
- the output portion 44 is drilled and pinned to the torsion bar 24.
- a laser bar code is etched on the outer diameters 48, 50 of the lower sensor disk 30 and the upper sensor disk 32 to complete the torque sensor sub-assembly.
- the pinion housing subassembly is assembled. An upper angular contact bearing 56 is pressed onto the pinion housing 54.
- a snap ring 52 is installed on the pinion housing 54.
- a sensor dust seal 58 is pressed into the pinion housing 54 to complete the pinion housing subassembly.
- the torque sensor subassembly is then installed into the pinion housing subassembly, and the bearing housing subassembly in then installed into the pinion housing 54 and torqued to take out play in the angular contact bearings 56, 60.
- the modular pinion gear housing assembly 16 may then be bolted onto a motor assembly (not shown) to complete torque sensor evaluation and motor module evaluation prior to final gear assembly. Having the capability of evaluating torque sensors and motor modules prior to final assembly is of potentially great advantage in that it may limit the time and cost necessary to disassemble and replace non-working or out of specification components.
- an operator uses the steering wheel 12 to rotate the steering shaft 14.
- the steering shaft 14 in turn twists the torsion bar 24 and rotates the pinion gear 34.
- the pinion gear 34 in turn acts on the rack 36, causing it to slide sideways within the gear housing subassembly (not shown). As the rack 36 moves sideways, it either pushes or pulls the tie rods 18, which in turn rotates the steering knuckles (not shown) and front tires 20.
- the weight of the vehicle 11 causes the front tires 20 to resist turning.
- the sensing equipment is coupled to a microprocessor based engine control module (not shown), which is coupled to the electric motor 22.
- the engine control module processes the sequence of bar codes 51a, 51b and other vehicle parameters, such as engine speed, to determine the proper amount of power assist for the particular driving condition.
- the electronic control module then sends a signal to instruct the electric motor 22 how much assist to provide.
- the assist torque delivered by the electric motor 22 to the output portion 44 reduces the steering effort perceived by the driver while exerting the necessary force on the rack 36 through the coupled rack 36 and pinion gear 34 to steer the vehicle 11.
- a plurality of optical torque sensors 28 may be used to further verify the change in bar code sequence 51a and 51b.
- a plurality of optical sensors 28 provides a redundant system that is desirable in many automotive applications. As illustrated, the torque sensors 28 are in separate housings, however, they could also be contained within one housing.
- FIG. 7 another embodiment of the present invention illustrating a modular pinion gear housing subassembly 116 is disclosed coupled to the electric motor 22 and the rack 136.
- the optical torque sensor 28 is replaced by a magnetoelectric sensor 168.
- the modular pinion gear housing subassembly 116 has as its major components pinion shaft 127 having an input portion 126, a magnetoelectric sensor 168 containing torque-sensing coils 170, an output portion 144 and a pinion gear 134.
- a gear 138 cooperates with a beveled gear pinion 23 fixed to a motor output shaft 27 of electric motor 22.
- Gears 138 is preferably hypoid shaped. It is contemplated that a torsion bar (not shown) may be added to the subassembly 116 for damping or compliance reasons.
- the modular pinion gear housing subassembly 116 is shown substantially within the pinion housing 134, wherein the input portion 126 and pinion gear 134 are not enclosed within the housing.
- the assembly 116 in Figure 7 is coupled to the electric motor 22 and the rack 136.
- the pinion housing 154 contains a snap ring 152 installed on the pinion housing 154.
- the pinion housing further contains an upper angular contact bearing 156, a sensor dust seal 158, and a lower angular contact bearing 160, all of which are pressed onto the pinion housing 154.
- the angular contact bearings 156, 160 function to rotatably support the gear housing subassembly 116 within the pinion housing 154.
- each subassembly of the modular pinion gear housing subassembly 116 must first be completed.
- the gear 138 is pressed onto the pinion shaft 126.
- the magnetoelectric sensor ring 162 is pressed onto the pinion shaft 126.
- Magnetic field conditioning is then performed, in which the magnetoelectric sensor 168 is calibrated.
- the snap ring 152 is installed to complete the pinion shaft subassembly.
- the threaded housing subassembly is assembled by first installing a snap ring 164 into a threaded housing 166 and then pressing the upper angular contact bearing 156 into the threaded housing 166.
- a donut-shaped magnetoelastic torque sensor 168 containing torque-sensing coils 170 is then pressed into the threaded housing 166 to complete the threaded housing subassembly.
- the pinion shaft subassembly is then installed into the pinion housing subassembly, followed by the threaded housing assembly, which is then torqued to take out play in the angular contact bearings 156, 160.
- the completed modular pinion gear housing subassembly 116 may then bolted onto a motor assembly (not shown) to complete torque sensor evaluation and motor module evaluation prior to final gear assembly. Having the capability of evaluating torque sensors and motor modules prior to final assembly is of potentially great advantage in that it may limit the time and cost necessary to disassemble and replace non-working or out of specification components.
- an operator uses the steering wheel 12 to rotate the steering shaft 14.
- the steering shaft acts on the pinion shaft 126, which in turn rotates the pinion gear 134.
- the pinion gear 134 in turn acts on the rack 136, causing it to move sideways within the gear housing (not shown).
- the rack 136 moves sideways, it either pushes or pulls the tie rods 18, which in turn rotates the steering knuckles (not shown) and front tires 20.
- the weight of the vehicle 11 causes the front tires 20 to resist turning. This strains the magnetoelastic material of the pinion shaft 126, which causes the magnetic field to change within the threaded housing.
- This change in magnetic field acts on the torque- sensing coils 170, which are read by the sensing equipment (not shown) inside the sensor 168.
- the sensing equipment is coupled to a microprocessor based engine control module (not shown), which is coupled to the electric motor 22.
- the engine control module processes the sequence of magnetic changes and other vehicle parameters, such as engine speed, to determine the proper amount of power assist for the particular driving condition.
- the electronic control module then sends a signal to instruct the electric motor 22 how much assist to provide.
- the assist torque delivered by the electric motor 22 to the output portion 144 reduces the steering effort perceived by the driver while exerting the necessary force on the rack 136 through pinion gear 134 to steer the vehicle 11.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Power Steering Mechanism (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0130066A GB2366551B (en) | 2000-04-25 | 2001-04-24 | Modular electric steering gear assembly |
DE10191730T DE10191730T1 (en) | 2000-04-25 | 2001-04-24 | Modular electric steering gear |
JP2001578262A JP2003531072A (en) | 2000-04-25 | 2001-04-24 | Modular electric steering gear assembly |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/558,024 | 2000-04-25 | ||
US09/558,024 US6520274B1 (en) | 2000-04-25 | 2000-04-25 | Modular electric steering gear assembly |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2001081151A1 true WO2001081151A1 (en) | 2001-11-01 |
Family
ID=24227857
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2001/013129 WO2001081151A1 (en) | 2000-04-25 | 2001-04-24 | Modular electric steering gear assembly |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6520274B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2003531072A (en) |
DE (1) | DE10191730T1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2366551B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001081151A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2468605A1 (en) * | 2010-12-21 | 2012-06-27 | LG Innotek Co., Ltd. | EPS motor having steering angle sensor |
Families Citing this family (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6681886B2 (en) * | 2001-12-11 | 2004-01-27 | Visteon Global Technologies, Inc | Flexibly coupled electric power assist steering system |
US6817253B2 (en) * | 2002-03-14 | 2004-11-16 | Sauer-Danfoss Inc. | Method and means for measuring torque in hydraulic power units |
US6863614B2 (en) * | 2003-05-01 | 2005-03-08 | Visteon Global Technologies, Inc. | Shunted collarless torsion shaft for electronic power-assisted steering systems |
DE112004000896D2 (en) * | 2003-05-23 | 2006-04-20 | Continental Teves Ag & Co Ohg | Superimposed steering |
JP4682041B2 (en) * | 2003-11-18 | 2011-05-11 | 日本精工株式会社 | Shock absorbing electric power steering device for vehicles |
US6925892B2 (en) * | 2003-12-17 | 2005-08-09 | Sauer-Danfoss, Inc. | Method and means for monitoring torque in a hydraulic power unit |
JP4525215B2 (en) * | 2004-07-13 | 2010-08-18 | 日本精工株式会社 | Column-type electric power steering device |
US7363827B2 (en) * | 2005-10-21 | 2008-04-29 | Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc. | Torque sensor system including an elliptically magnetized shaft |
US7469604B2 (en) * | 2005-10-21 | 2008-12-30 | Stoneridge Control Devices, Inc. | Sensor system including a magnetized shaft |
US7478572B2 (en) * | 2006-02-27 | 2009-01-20 | Gm Global Technology Operations, Inc. | Transmission with torque sensors and method of controlling a transmission |
EP2038162B1 (en) | 2006-07-07 | 2011-04-27 | Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership | Electronic steering control apparatus |
US8950520B2 (en) * | 2006-07-07 | 2015-02-10 | Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership | Front steering module for a zero turn radius vehicle |
US7578357B2 (en) * | 2006-09-12 | 2009-08-25 | Black & Decker Inc. | Driver with external torque value indicator integrated with spindle lock and related method |
US8011678B1 (en) | 2007-09-20 | 2011-09-06 | Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership | Steering system for a zero-turn radius vehicle |
KR101675313B1 (en) * | 2015-05-18 | 2016-11-11 | 주식회사 만도 | Pinion assembly for power steering apparatus |
US11499611B2 (en) * | 2019-07-12 | 2022-11-15 | R.H. Sheppard Co., Inc. | Coupled steering gear shaft |
DE102019214331A1 (en) * | 2019-09-20 | 2021-03-25 | Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft | Electromechanical steering system for use in a motor vehicle |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5717590A (en) * | 1995-09-15 | 1998-02-10 | General Motors Corporation | Adaptive variable assist steering control |
US5819871A (en) * | 1996-01-30 | 1998-10-13 | Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd. | Electric power steering device |
US5948030A (en) * | 1997-07-25 | 1999-09-07 | General Motors Corporation | Steering angle determaination method and apparatus |
US5971094A (en) * | 1996-06-19 | 1999-10-26 | Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd. | Electric power steering device |
US6000491A (en) * | 1997-03-10 | 1999-12-14 | Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Electric power steering apparatus having steering torque sensor integrally assembled in steering device with variable steering ratio |
Family Cites Families (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB9202868D0 (en) * | 1992-02-12 | 1992-03-25 | Lucas Ind Plc | Optical torque sensors and steering systems for vehicles incorporating them |
JP3573528B2 (en) * | 1995-06-01 | 2004-10-06 | カヤバ工業株式会社 | Assembling structure and assembling method of input torque detecting device for power steering |
JP3139612B2 (en) * | 1996-05-21 | 2001-03-05 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Electric power steering apparatus and electric power steering assembly method |
JPH10329729A (en) * | 1997-05-28 | 1998-12-15 | Honda Motor Co Ltd | Electric power steering system |
JP3891747B2 (en) * | 1999-12-07 | 2007-03-14 | 株式会社ジェイテクト | Electric steering device |
JP2001213334A (en) * | 2000-02-04 | 2001-08-07 | Unisia Jecs Corp | Power steering device and assembling method thereof |
-
2000
- 2000-04-25 US US09/558,024 patent/US6520274B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2001
- 2001-04-24 DE DE10191730T patent/DE10191730T1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2001-04-24 JP JP2001578262A patent/JP2003531072A/en active Pending
- 2001-04-24 WO PCT/US2001/013129 patent/WO2001081151A1/en active Application Filing
- 2001-04-24 GB GB0130066A patent/GB2366551B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5717590A (en) * | 1995-09-15 | 1998-02-10 | General Motors Corporation | Adaptive variable assist steering control |
US5819871A (en) * | 1996-01-30 | 1998-10-13 | Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd. | Electric power steering device |
US5971094A (en) * | 1996-06-19 | 1999-10-26 | Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd. | Electric power steering device |
US6000491A (en) * | 1997-03-10 | 1999-12-14 | Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Electric power steering apparatus having steering torque sensor integrally assembled in steering device with variable steering ratio |
US5948030A (en) * | 1997-07-25 | 1999-09-07 | General Motors Corporation | Steering angle determaination method and apparatus |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2468605A1 (en) * | 2010-12-21 | 2012-06-27 | LG Innotek Co., Ltd. | EPS motor having steering angle sensor |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB2366551B (en) | 2003-07-02 |
DE10191730T1 (en) | 2003-02-20 |
GB2366551A8 (en) | 2002-03-20 |
US6520274B1 (en) | 2003-02-18 |
GB2366551A (en) | 2002-03-13 |
JP2003531072A (en) | 2003-10-21 |
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